Bemos Craft Developers

Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool (knife) in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object. The phrase may also refer to the finished product, from individual sculptures to hand-worked mouldings composing part of a tracery.
The walnut wood carving of Kashmir employs a process of hand carving done very carefully and delicately in various styles by means of varied tools, fabricated locally depicting forms and motifs that have evolved over a period of centuries.

The process is representative of local tradition of carving, evolved from stone and transmitted later on through the medium of wood representing various facets of carving; from flat to deep relief that employs a subtle three-dimensional effect.

The carving employs a host of motifs that depict the varied flora and fauna of the region in a highly stylized manner also reflective of other associated Kashmiri handicrafts.
The desired effect and craftsmanship is achieved by the master craftsman (wasta or naqash) through calculated measured strokes for chipping, carving and rounding of the surface. The entire process is highly representative of the art of stone sculpture (shilpi) though on a more miniaturized scale.
The Kashmiri walnut wood craftsman rejoices in carving intricate and varied designs based on lively natural forms. Thus elaborate and intricate carvings form the essentials of what is termed as good quality wood carving. This tendency or rather fascination for detail seems to have developed in the latter part of the 19th Century under European influences when the bold and effective woodcarving of yesteryears was replaced by a highly intricate process of undercutting in the 19th Century.
In today’s contemporary market, Kashmiri walnut woodcarving is recognizable because of colour and tone of the material (walnut) and its combination with local craftsmanship depicting certain established motifs in a highly intricate and miniaturized form in the traditional established styles. The Kashmir walnut woodcarving is practiced in the five main styles:
a) Undercut (Khokerdar): This type of carving is highly reflective of traditional stone carving involved in the making of sculptures.

Royal walking stick is an elegant stick that can be used as a walking stick or for decoration purposes.


1 meter long, 1/2 kg heavy.

Hand carved Chinese art, figures, sculpture, and more.

The production of wood carving in Kenya is associated with the Akamba ethnic community of the arid and semi-arid eastern region of Kenya. The art of woodcarving dates back to 450 years ago. In other words, it is a perfected skill, which has been passed on from one generation to the next. The young apprentice works among the seasoned master carvers; learning all the techniques of the craft form splitting the timber to carving and hand polishing the finished forms. Many of the artisans specialize in sculpting a series of African forms, including the exotic wide range of wild animals found in Kenya and East Africa. All carvings must meet rigid standards of quality for the export market. While production norms are maintained, no two pieces are ever exactly the same. Traditionally, the women role is to sand paper the finished product as part of quality touch in terms of coming up with high quality products.

The art of woodcarving as one would rightly put it is in Akamba people's blood. The carvers age range from 18-65 years. Kenya has over 60,000 highly skilled craftsmen who produce tones of woodcarvings a month. Woodcarving as an income generating activity supports about 350,000 people. The woodcarving production is by nature labor intensive. The craftsmen model each form using simple tools made from animal hide, local wood and spring steel fashioned into adzes and knives. No machinery is used in the process of transferring a tree- truck into hundreds of items both decorative and functional. The woodcarving products are very popular with the tourists visiting Kenya.

Kenya's woodcarving items have over the years been exported to almost all parts of the world. The wood carvings products have not only acted as a source of income for a large number of Akamba community but have also been a commodity that has over the years earned Kenya a substantial amount of foreign exchange. This has been realized through the sale of a wide range of decorative and utility products such as the animal figures, traditional people masks, bookends, salad servers and many other items.

Some of the wood that the carvers use or cut down have now come to be enlisted as endangered species and for that reason, the government has come up with stringent measure that requires planting of at least two trees for each tree fallen or cut. Besides that, the government has also put tough measures, which require issuance of license before any tree is cut or fallen down. These measures are aimed at avoiding further deforestation in Akamba arid and semi-arid areas and the entire country in general. According to the available research/statistics, the carvers need for wood account to 10% of the national consumption of hard wood.

Hand carved and hand made furniture available in variety of Designs , shades and sizes.

Woodcarving is an ancient craft practiced in India long before the age of ancient stone sculptural age. It is the artistic practice of shaping and decorating wooden objects into diverse utilitarian and decorative handicrafts items. The most common varieties of wood used for this craft are teak, sal, oak, ebony, mango, sheesham, etc.

Wood carving is a time consuming process. Small items of carved

Wooden handicrafts may take a week to be made. Large items requiring elaborate carving may take few months for their manufacture.

Main clusters: Saharanpur is world famous for its wood carving and is known as

â??Shisham Wood Villageâ?? or â??Wood Cityâ?? of India. Other important

Centres of wood carving in India are Manipur, Bhopal, Nagpur, Chennai, Madurai, Mysore, etc. Kashmir is famous for walnut wood carving.

Artisans involved: Number of artisans involved in some of the clusters are59:

Saharanpur: Over 250 artisans and 15 self-help groups (SHGs) Manipur (Kakching): Over 266 artisans and 17 SHGs

Bhopal (Sheopur Kalan): 300 artisans and 25 SHGs Nagpur (Bhandara): Over 300 artisans and 30 SHGs Khairpadar: Over 529 plus artisans and 25 SHGs

Raw material used: Raw materials used for wood carving are wood, babul Gond (gum),

Potassium permanganate, Chandras (lac grains in acid), harmach powder (for an antique finish), wood preservative, varnish, materials for embossing, fevicol, zinc, colours